Fort St. James Woman’s Death Now Considered Suspicious After Autopsy, RCMP Say
Shraddha Tripathy
9/17/20261 min read
RCMP say the death of a 30-year-old woman in Fort St. James, B.C., is now being investigated as suspicious after an autopsy changed the direction of the case.
Dayna Monk died on May 31 after first responders were called to a home for what had initially been reported as a cardiac arrest.
Police said emergency crews attempted life-saving measures, but Monk could not be revived.
Based on the information available at the time, investigators did not initially believe her death involved criminal activity.
Autopsy Prompted New Investigation
RCMP Sgt. Vanessa Munn said the assessment changed following the results of an autopsy.
“Based on the information initially available to investigators, criminality was not believed to be a factor in the death,” Munn said in a statement released Wednesday.
“However, following the results of an autopsy, the death was determined to be suspicious.”
Police have not disclosed what specifically was found during the autopsy or what circumstances prompted investigators to classify Monk’s death as suspicious.
Major Crimes Unit Took Over Case
The RCMP’s major crimes unit assumed conduct of the investigation on June 10.
Police said investigators have now decided to release information publicly in hopes that someone with knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Monk’s death will come forward.
“Investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding Dayna's death and are asking anyone who may have information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward,” Insp. Robert Kurtz said.
RCMP have not announced any arrests or identified any suspects.
Second Suspicious Death Investigation Announced This Week
Monk’s case is the second suspicious death investigation announced in Fort St. James this week.
Police also announced an investigation following the death of a 77-year-old man on Monday.
Authorities have not indicated that the two cases are connected.
Fort St. James is a community of approximately 1,500 people located about 114 kilometres west of Prince George.
The investigation into Monk’s death remains ongoing, and police are asking anyone with information to contact RCMP.
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